Art

The Lamorinda Arts Council presents paintings by Christina Baal, Molly Gleason-Kodama, Michiko Sakai and Raku ceramics by Mary Leigh Miller in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library starting July 1. The public is invited to an artist reception held in their honor on Saturday, July 6 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. where light refreshments will be served. Closed Sundays. For more information email gallery@LamorindaArts.org, call (925) 359.9940 or visit http://lamorindaarts.org/galleries-2.

The Lamorinda Arts Council invites you to meet Leslie Golden in the Art Gallery at Wilder on Sunday, July 7 at a reception in her honor from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. where light refreshments will be served. Enjoy her “Laura’s Lantern Inspired by John Singer Sargent,” a 16” x 20” oil on canvas echoing the bespoke dresses and rarefied lighting in Sargent’s famous work. Visit the Art Gallery at Wilder July 8 to Aug. 2, Monday through Friday.from 3 to 5 p.m., closed Saturday and Sundays. For more information go to https://LamorindaArts.org/galleries-2, email info@LamorindaArts.org or call (925) 359.9940.

Valley Art Gallery presents: My Places in the Sun, oil paintings by Maria SantoStefano. Runs through Aug. 3. Valley Art Gallery, 1661 Botelho Drive, Suite 110 · Walnut Creek; https://valleyartgallery.org

Music

2024 Concert at the Moraga Commons Park schedule: 4 July: Houserockers – Rock & Soul (7 p.m. Concert) 11 July: Mumbo Gumbo – Genre-bending Americana & Musical Stew 18 July: Steve Hanson & Carousel Cowboys – Modern Country 25 July: Purple Ones – Prince Tribute 1 Aug: Native Elements – Reggae 8 Aug: Traveling Wilburys Revue – E.L.O, Orbison, Harrison, Dylan Tribute 15 Aug: 3 Day Weekend – Motown, R&B, Classic Rock 6:30-8:30 P.M. (Uno) at The Moraga Commons Band Shell.

Orinda – Concerts are held at the Orinda Community Park on Thursday night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call (925) 254.2445 for information. Thursday, July 11 – Lamorinda Idol; Thursday, July 25 – Aug. Reed Band; Thursday, Aug. 1 – Tin Man; Thursday, Aug. 15 – Vintage Jukebox; Thursday, Aug. 29 – Spill the Wine; Thursday, Sept. 12 – Patron

Outdoor Concert--Bring a picnic, chair, and/or blanket to enjoy an evening of music in the oak grove behind Lafayette Christian Church, 584 Glenside Drive on July 13, 6 to 8 p.m. Front Porch Music will be presenting local musicians playing folk, country, and bluegrass music.

Lamorinda Idol performance on Wednesday, July 31. from 6 to 8 p.m. live at the Moraga Commons for a special event, sponsored by Moraga Art in Public Spaces and Lamorinda Arts Council. Bring a picnic and enjoy an evening of Idol’s solo and group performers. Wonderful for the whole family. Free to the public.

Literature

Art Embraces Poetry: July 20, Poetry Readings and 3 Minute Open Mic at Town Hall Theatre on July 20. Listen to poets Gail Rudd Entrekin, Jim Guninshan, and Linda Riedel, plus artist Emily Bennett from Acalanes High School, who will display her artwork from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. A 3 Minute Open Mic runs from 2:30 to3:30 p.m. on a first-come, first served basis. Reception follows in lobby with a No Host Bar at Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School Street, Lafayette 94549. Free. Questions? Call (925) 359-9940 or visit https://LamorindaArts.org/art-embraces-words.

Join Tom Steyer at Orinda Books to celebrate the release of his new book, "Cheaper, Faster, Better", on Wednesday, July 24, at 6 p.m. Tom Steyer describes how we can win the war on climate. He shows how capitalism can be used to scale climate progress, debunks arguments made by climate deniers, and provides an inspirational call to make stabilizing our planet part of our life’s work. Information at www.orindabooks.com.

Other

Mocktails & Cocktails Sunday July 28, 4 to 6 p.m. at Tutu’s Lafayette, 53 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette. Join friends of the Lamorinda Arts Council for some words with creative makers. Look for their knockoff Picassoesque poster of surrealist Dora Maar – that’s us! No host bar. Just show up. Questions? Call (925) 359.9940.

Garden

Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour presents an online talk in the “You Can Do It!” series: You Can Do It: 10 Steps to Creating a Bird-Friendly Garden (Online). Presenter: Brian Dirking. Tuesday, July 23, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Register at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqRZ-CSoO9Rgv1wxAjYKY37vjB8OYcDBkPx9QJzaDBI8wa_w/viewform. This interactive online workshop will explore gardening from a bird’s perspective and then delve into the ten elements that can transform your garden into a bird paradise.